ICE agency admits that the Canadian man who recently passed away while in their custody had raised health concerns several weeks prior to his demise.
Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old permanent resident of the United States, passed away on June 23, 2023, at a federal detention center in Miami. The cause of his death remains unclear, but his passing has raised concerns about the conditions within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Noviello, who first came to the U.S. as a visitor in 1988 and became a permanent resident in October 1991, was detained pending removal proceedings after being convicted of drug trafficking and racketeering in 2023. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, but his sentence was later reduced to six months.
During his time in custody, Noviello was reportedly one of his lawyer's most polite clients, expressing gratitude after learning he was no longer under house arrest. However, in the weeks leading to his death, his health began to deteriorate. He was documented to have pre-existing health issues such as hypertension, seizure disorder, slightly elevated blood pressure, and a high body mass index.
On May 19, a behavioural health provider recommended a medical evaluation, which preceded his transfer to the Miami detention center. However, Noviello began refusing medical care by the end of May, including a complete health history and physical exam.
On June 8, Noviello reported feeling "sad and depressed," but he refused to attend a medical clinic for a full evaluation, prompting a mental health referral. On June 9, observations noted poor personal hygiene and that Noviello claimed he had not eaten recently. His vital signs were recorded as normal, and staff discussed the importance of self-care and proper diet with him.
ICE conducted two evaluations on Noviello on June 8 and 9, at the request of a unit officer and a health administrator. The ICE report mentions the importance of both self-hygiene and a proper diet for Noviello.
The U.S. ambassador to Canada has expressed that ICE is working closely with Canadian officials and emphasized a commitment to providing a safe environment for detainees. However, three immigration advocacy groups recently released a report describing the Federal Detention Center in Miami, where Noviello was detained, as degrading and dehumanizing under the second Trump presidency.
Noviello's death is not the first instance of a Canadian being detained since the onset of sweeping raids by U.S. immigration officials under the Trump administration. In March, British Columbia resident Jasmine Mooney was detained at the Mexico border, and earlier this month, Cynthia Olivera was detained in California.
ICE has committed to transparency regarding the incident, and the exact cause of Noviello's death is still under investigation. Liesing, Noviello's lawyer, stated that he saw no evidence of depression or poor personal hygiene during his interactions with Noviello. However, it is clear that the circumstances surrounding Noviello's death warrant further scrutiny and action to ensure the safety and well-being of all detainees in ICE custody.
- The passing of Johnny Noviello, a long-time U.S. resident, has sparked concerns about the conditions within ICE custody, given his history of pre-existing health issues and documented deterioration in the weeks leading to his death.
- In the weeks prior to his death, Noviello refused medical care and showed signs of poor personal hygiene, prompting concerns about the quality of health and mental health care in ICE detention centers.
- The media has taken an interest in the circumstances surrounding Noviello's death, with several publications questioning the effectiveness of ICE's health and wellness policies for detainees, including therapies and treatments for mental health issues.
- The Canadian government has expressed concern about the treatment of its citizens in U.S. immigration detention centers, as cases like Noviello's illustrate potential shortcomings in the system.
- In the wake of Noviello's death, immigration advocacy groups have called for a comprehensive review of conditions in ICE detention centers, citing their reports that describe the facilities as degrading and dehumanizing, especially under the Trump administration.
- With two other Canadians recently detained by U.S. immigration officials, the public discussion on health policies and the treatment of detainees in ICE custody has gained momentum, pushing for greater transparency and improved care for those in detention.
